#BlackLivesMatter

The way that racism has gripped the United States over the past few months I almost have to pinch myself to see if I’m in the middle of a nightmare. The senseless killings of African Americans at the hands of law enforcement officers, teens slammed to the ground during a pool party, nine worshippers murdered in cold blood at church–is this how far we’ve come? Race has always been a tense topic but these occurrences have shined a bright light on the ugly realities that still exist. It has also exposed a law enforcement system that seeks to take care of its own even if they are wrong and a legal system that must too-often be prompted to act by massive public outcry. It is sad that in 2015 we must deal with such atrocities and men and women of all races must once again join hands and wage civil war to get justice. This week’s Me Want One Wednesday feature is a collection of social justice pins designed by native Memphian, Elliott Sayles. Let everyone know that you are paying attention to the injustices being committed in the black community and you will not stand for it because BLACK LIVES MATTER! You may also like the HANDS UP DON’T SHOOT and I CAN’T BREATHE pins, too. Consider this part of your public stand. We, as lovers of humanity can no longer sit by and wait for the justice system to avenge the innocent. Unfortunately, it has proven too many times before that doesn’t always happen. I pray one day that America can truly mirror the words found in the Declaration of Independence that “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” The pins are currently on sale for the discounted price of $6.00. Order yours at www.handsupworld.com.

This is not a black problem. This is not a white problem. This is a people problem. Don’t let these tragic events further divide America. Allow it to heal American by exposing the infected parts so they can be extracted.